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Farron urges Kennedy to continue campaign against sheep tagging
March 24, 2009 12:15 PM
Following the news that a delegation from the UK has failed to win concessions from the European Commission over plans to introduce compulsory EID Liberal Democrat Defra Spokesperson Tim Farron MP has urged Agricultural Minister Jane Kennedy to continue the campaign against compulsory sheep tagging.
Commenting Mr Farron said:
"Today's result should not mean compulsory sheep tagging becomes accepted as inevitable and certainly doesn't change the fact that the current proposals are expensive, impractical and above all unnecessary.
"There is still some light at the end of tunnel as there was some mention of flexibility in implementation which opens the door to further discussion. If the opportunity to discuss a more workable solution presents itself we can't afford to let it slip by.
"Compulsory sheep tagging will increase the input costs being placed on livestock producers, auction markets and abattoirs which could ruin the financial viability of the industry. The average wage for a sheep farmer is just £6,000 per year, which is as about as much as a tag reader is expected to cost.
"Up until now the government have taken the role of a backseat driver during discussions about compulsory EID. If there is to be further dialogue, the UK must now take a leading role instead of leaving it other nations to raise the case for our farmers."
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